RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the Department of Human Services to administer programs that are designed to improve the social well-being and productivity of the people of the State of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Human Services should also concern itself with problems of human behavior, adjustment, and daily living through the administration of programs of family, child and adult welfare, economic assistance, health care assistance, rehabilitation toward self-care and support, public housing, and other related programs provided by law; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative to maintain sound fiscal accountability and that the Department of Human Services use federal moneys received through direct block grants, reimbursements for services, and other sources to provide services and benefits in the most cost-effective manner; and

WHEREAS, to this end, the Department of Human Services is the single state agency responsible for administering the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program in Hawaii in accordance with Title IV-A of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, and is also responsible for administering the federal block grant provided for this purpose; and

WHEREAS, under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families block grant system, a formula is used to designate the amount each state will receive – a block grant – which will not be affected by how many people are in need of assistance; and

WHEREAS, under the block grant, the State, through the Department of Human Services, is authorized to tailor its own Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program to suit the needs of its clientele; provided that the program adheres to federal guidelines; and

WHEREAS, as the designated State IV-A agency, the Department of Human Services is required to administer the program in accordance with Title IV-A of the Social Security Act, with the exception of Section 1115 waiver provisions that have been identified as inconsistent, and all other applicable federal laws and regulations and provisions of the State's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Plan; and

WHEREAS, within the organizational structure of the Department of Human Services, the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division is responsible for monitoring, supervising, and responding to all issues and questions regarding the State's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program; and

WHEREAS, the offices within the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division with primary oversight responsibility for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program include the Financial Assistance Program and the Employment and Child Care Program; and

WHEREAS, the Financial Assistance Program is responsible for the administration of the cash benefit aspect of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program; and

WHEREAS, the Employment and Child Care Program is responsible for the administration of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program work and child care programs; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to ensure that the Department of Human Services is maximizing available federal aid under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program and that the funds received from the federal government are being properly accounted, managed, and expended; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct a financial and management audit of the Department of Human Services regarding the Department's receipt, administration, and expenditure of federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funds; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to include the following in the audit:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Human Services, its staff, and other relevant persons or agencies are requested to cooperate fully with and respond promptly to the Auditor's requests in conducting this audit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of any findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Director of Human Services, and the Auditor.

Report Title:

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families; Audit; Human Services